Lepe Country Park
This event was inspired by Extinction Rebellion, the members of which organisation
have been risking everything to draw our attention to the climate emergency we
are facing. They are using non violent means with high impact. I had been challenged
once again to consider the impact my sense of entitlement has on my environment.
have been risking everything to draw our attention to the climate emergency we
are facing. They are using non violent means with high impact. I had been challenged
once again to consider the impact my sense of entitlement has on my environment.
It is worth noting that in this particular place, there is the litter of individuals, and
also the litter of government decisions, namely war. In the last week this place has
seen events marking the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings, of which this was
one of the launch points. You can see the remnants of concrete bases, and piers.
75 years later, the litter of war is not so easily erased and put in a bag. However,
over time, the land has been reclaimed for conservation and enjoyment.
Love has taken the place of fear and death.
also the litter of government decisions, namely war. In the last week this place has
seen events marking the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings, of which this was
one of the launch points. You can see the remnants of concrete bases, and piers.
75 years later, the litter of war is not so easily erased and put in a bag. However,
over time, the land has been reclaimed for conservation and enjoyment.
Love has taken the place of fear and death.
Today, we took part in a litter pick with a difference.
As we found litter, we were invited to say a prayer for the person who ate, drank
or used the item - not standing in judgement, but sending them love. We asked
for forgiveness for the ways we all have used and abused the gift of creation.
And reflected on our own responsibility for change. We were invited to ask God
how we might take action in line with Jesus’ own non violent methods of getting
his message across. How might we challenge our own assumptions about what
we are entitled to do, eat, and connect with our environment?
or used the item - not standing in judgement, but sending them love. We asked
for forgiveness for the ways we all have used and abused the gift of creation.
And reflected on our own responsibility for change. We were invited to ask God
how we might take action in line with Jesus’ own non violent methods of getting
his message across. How might we challenge our own assumptions about what
we are entitled to do, eat, and connect with our environment?
When we regrouped, we shared our reflections on the process. A number of us
had experienced conflicted feelings about others - those who have consciously left
behind items that could be harmful to others, as well as the environment. It was a
challenge to send love and prayers for those people. We wondered what it would
take to be non violent in our thoughts as well as our actions.
had experienced conflicted feelings about others - those who have consciously left
behind items that could be harmful to others, as well as the environment. It was a
challenge to send love and prayers for those people. We wondered what it would
take to be non violent in our thoughts as well as our actions.
If you have been challenged about taking further action after today - how about
getting involved with Tearfund's Rubbish Campaign? Or perhaps eat one less meat
based meal a week? Drive one less journey a week? Write to your MP?
Join Extinction Rebellion? Become a Friend of Lepe and litter pick here regularly?
getting involved with Tearfund's Rubbish Campaign? Or perhaps eat one less meat
based meal a week? Drive one less journey a week? Write to your MP?
Join Extinction Rebellion? Become a Friend of Lepe and litter pick here regularly?
We finished with the following prayers -
An Uncomfortable Blessing
May the Spirit bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial
relationships so that you will live deep in your heart.
May the Spirit bless you with anger at injustice and oppression, the exploitation of
people and earth so that you will work for justice, equity and peace.
May the Spirit bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them.
May the Spirit bless you with foolishness to think that you can make a difference
in the world so that you will do the things which others say cannot be done.4
Mark Wilcox. Copyright © 2004 (St Aidan Press, Holy Island).
Loving Father, help us to change.
To change ourselves and to change our world.
To know the need for it.
To deal with the pain of it.
To feel the joy of it
To deal with the pain of it.
To feel the joy of it
To undertake the journey without understanding the destination.5
Michael Leunig
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